💠 Brother's Cruel Game 💠
Arion's heart sank to his stomach as the King's words sealed his fate. He stood there, a pawn assigned to a new player, and he couldn't help but look at Kyon, searching for some sign of protest, some flicker of the possessive alpha from the night before. But Kyon wouldn't meet his gaze. The younger prince's face was a study in cold indifference, a final, brutal confirmation of his abandonment. The rejection was a sharp, agonizing pain, far worse than any physical blow.
Cassian, sensing Arion's vulnerability, moved in for the kill. A cruel smile stretched across his lips as he sauntered over, his eyes fixed on the white training tape around Arion's neck. He reached out, his fingers hovering over the bandage, a silent threat. Arion flinched but held his ground, his heart hammering against his ribs. He knew what was hidden beneath that tape, and he knew Cassian's gesture was a deliberate, vicious taunt.
"What do we have here?" Cassian purred, his voice a low, mocking whisper. "Hiding something, warrior?"
Just as his fingers were about to touch the tape, a hand shot out and gripped his wrist. It was Kyon. His face was still a mask of perfect serenity, but his eyes were sharp and dangerous.
"The Council meeting is about to start, dear brother," Kyon said, his voice a silky, lethal whisper. "Don't make everyone late."
The words were a warning, a public reminder of their duty. Cassian's smirk widened, but he slowly pulled his hand back, his eyes never leaving Arion's. He knew he had won this round. He had not only stolen the prize, he had also publicly humiliated Kyon. Arion was no longer just a warrior; he was a symbol of their rivalry, a living testament to their ongoing war.
Kyon gave one last, impassive glance at Arion before turning and walking back to his seat. The coldness in his eyes was a final, devastating blow. Arion was now officially a pawn in their cruel, manipulative game, a toy to be fought over and then discarded. He had no voice, no choice, and no dignity. He was a soldier at a king's command, but he was also a soul caught in the crossfire of two brothers' war.